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Editorial Decries 'Outrageous Intrusions' into N.D. Women's

Editorial Decries 'Outrageous Intrusions' into N.D. Women's Lives

March 19, 2013 — "Proponents of the pending [North Dakota "personhood"] legislation claim the measures are pro-life, and thus meant to end abortions in the state, but their practical effect would be nothing of the sort," according to a Forum of Fargo-Moorheadeditorial. The editorial also urges Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) to veto the other "equally ill-advised" antiabortion bills that were advanced by the Legislature.

The editorial calls the personhood measures "outrageous intrusions of government into the most private and personal issues facing North Dakotans." The measure would "be rejected by federal courts," but the state would have to spend "hundreds of thousands of dollars of wasted taxpayer money" to defend them. The editorial also notes that the North Dakota Medical Association -- "[i]n what is believed to be a first" -- has voiced objections to the legislation.

"When SB 2303 and Resolution 4009 come to the House floor this week, representatives should crank up their courage and tap their intelligence -- and defeat the bills," the editorial concludes (Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, 3/16).